Boeing 737-700 accident near Valdosta, Georgia, February 23, 2008
On February 23, 2008 at about 1:00 am local time, a Boeing 737-700, registered N551WN, was involved in an accident during approach near Valdosta, Georgia (Orlando International airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 102 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An unexpected encounter with turbulence, while on approach for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 23, 2008 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Valdosta, Georgia · Orlando International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 102 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737-700 · all 737-700s on the register
- Registration
- N551WN · no longer on the register · serial 30280
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Boeing 737-700 was at an altitude 30,0000 feet, and on the arrival approach for landing, when it encountered unexpected turbulence. The pilot flying stated that the turbulence was at least moderate in intensity and lasted for about 10 seconds. The autopilot remained engaged. The seat belt sign was illuminated and the flight attendants were securing the cabin for landing. One flight attendant was thrown against a wall and sustained a fractured ankle. The airplane subsequently landed without further incident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Turbulence encounter during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Turbulence › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 5,500 in this make and model; 240 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 6,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,292 hours in all; 1,092 in this make and model; 190 in the last 90 days; 49 in the last 30 days; 4,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 18,985 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, February 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 154,500 lb
- Seats: 136
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cfm International CFM56-7B22 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cfm International CFM56-7B22 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Southwest Airlines Co.
The flight
- Departed from: MCI Kansas City MO at 11:08 pm
- Destination: MCO Orlando FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 1:03 am from VLD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | 2 | ||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 98 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N551WN the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.